Laundry machine



Dec. 9, 1930.

A. W. ALTORFER LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed March 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Shae l lmz'znrmaza. MM

A YE

A. W. ALTORFER LAUNDRY MACHINE Dec. 9, 1930.

Filed March 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Shed 2 lnvz'n'rmza- ATTYE Patented Dec. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALPHEUS w. ALTORFER, or PEOBIA, ILLINOIS, assr'e'uoa rro ALronrEa 1230s. 0011- PANY, or mszr raoam, ILLINOIS, A coarom'rrou or ILLINOIS LAUNDRY MACHINE This invention has reference to laundry machines and particularly to that type preferably'used in the homes, and it has for its principal object to combine in such a machine a washing tub having a washing element, and a centrifugal extractor positioned there alongside for drying the clothes or other materials; such extractor including a revolvable housing for receiving and conducting water from said extractor and provided with a drain board or shelf adapted, by revolving said housing to position said drain board above the tub or other receptacle.

The invention has for one of its important objects to provide for a more compact assembly of the washing tub and the centrifu gal extracting member within the machine frame, whereby the smallest possible space may be occupied consistent. with the multiple 29 operations performed. To accomplish this purpose the wall of the washing tub is formed or provided with a preferably concave seat in which is positioned and adapted to be revolved the centrifugal extracting member; which being thus so positioned, the distance between its axis and the axis of the washing element of the tub is considerably shortened and the washing and drying operations therefore made more convenient and easy.

A further objectand an important improvement in machines of this character is to provide a floating connection between the lower end of the centrifugal extracting member and the driving element for revolving the same. Such improvement combined with a self aligning anti-friction bearing for the upper end of said member makes for an efiicient centering of the said member and the consequent spinning of the same at the proper speed for producing the best centrifugal action. The invention has for a still further object to provide an improved cover or lid for the 45 extracting member and the supporting means therefor to permit said cover or lid to rotate with said member; said cover or lid being carried by the revolvable housingwhich is adapted to be manually and circumferentially adjusted around the upper end' of said member to position a drain carried thereby 'over a tub or other receptacle.

vention, the housing and its drain being 'shown by 'full and dotted lines in different adjusted positions;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, parts being shown in section to illustrate the interior of the extracting member and housing therefor;

Fig. 3 is a plan, partly in section, as the same would appear if taken on the line 3-3 Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view,.with

parts seen in plan in Fig. 1 transposed, and as the same would appear if taken on the line 44 Fig. 1, the cover for the extracting memher and support therefor being shown raised in dotted lines;

v Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one end, preferably the locking end, of the support for the cover for the extracting mem- Fig. 6 is a sectional detail, in plan, as the,

same would appear if taken on the line 66 Fig. 2, and Y Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view showing parts or openings in the cover for the extracting member for the passage ofwater discharged by centrifugal action from said member into the housing associated therewith.

Fig. 8 is an ,enlar ed detailed sectional view of the self aligning anti-friction bearing for the cover arranged to close the extraeting receptacle.

Like characters denote corresponding parts throughout the figures.

The framefor the machine includes standards or legs 1 and 2 in which is supported and associated in working relation a tub 3 and a centrifugal extracting member 4. The under structure for these elements preferably comprises a frame 5 on which is suitably mounted a housing 6 within which is arranged operating means, not shown, to which is operatively connected a short upstanding driving element 7, here shown in the form of a grooved shaft which protrudes a short distance only above the housing 6, see Fig. 2. The tub 3 is provided with a washing element 8, preferably an agitator member of a type well known which is arranged to have an operative connection with a shaft 9 passing up through the bottom of the tub, as shown. Said shafts 7 and 9 may be operatively connected with the source of power, not shown, whereby they may be actuated simultaneously or separately, as may be desired.

The tub 3, while shown to be square in outline, may be round, as will be understood and said tub is supported and braced at its upper end by a frame casting 10 which extends laterally therefrom and terminates in a substantially circular extension 11,'through which normally extends or projects the member 4 for rotation therein. Said extension is formed or provided with an annular flanged ring 12 providin a circular opening 13 through which exten s the member 4 and the peripheral face of said ring is tapered inwardly and downwardly, as at 14 to present a wedge face, as shown.

The wall of the tub 3 is provided with a concave seat 15, preferablyeofiset from a line passing transversely through the axis of the tub 3 placing the axis of the extractor 4, arranged to be seated in said seat, not only closer than is usual to theaxis of the tu 4 but in close relation to an operating side of the machine, whereby the extractor is positioned for convenient use by-an attendant and for the moreconvement transposition of clothes and other materials from the tub to the extractor and from the extractor to a rinse tub or other receptacle; thus reducing considerably the working length or width of the machine. Such seat 15 as will be understood, is disposed vertically in the wall of.

the tub and to provide or form such a seat as will receive an inverted cone shaped member 4, the wall forming this seat is inclined downwardly and outwardly from the top to disposed opening 19 therethrough with its wall splined, as at 20, see Fig. 6 to match the grooves in the driving element 7 and to have a slidable and detachable relation therewith. The plate 17 and the driving element 7 form or provide a floating'connection at the lower end of the member 4 with its operating means; such connection providing a substantially free slip on and oil connectlonfor the extracting member 4 with its driving element. The upper end of said member 4 being adapted to revolve freely within the extension 11 of the frame 10 and within a housing, to be described, and to be centered and closed at its upper end, by acover or I lid, to be described, the latter including a self aligning anti-friction bearing, whereby an effective and true bearing may be provided for the rotation of said member 4.

A housing 21 is supported on the extension 11 to be manually and circumferentially adjusted on said extension and said ring. 12 and about the upper end of the member 4 which is normally revolubly carried within said housing, Said housing being formed or provided with an upstanding ring 22 adapted to encircle the member 4 and to-lie within or immediately under the curved upper edge of said member 4, and being also formed or provided with a dependin ring,

23 encircling the flanged and tapere ring 12 of the frame 10 and spaced therefrom, and between which spacing and anti-rattling blocks 24 are placed, only one of which is shown, see Fig. 2. The housing 21 is freely supported to be manually rotated into different positions, but may also be locked in differnt positions by a screw 25 adapted to wedge one of the blocks 24 into an impinging locking relaton with the wedge face of the ring 12.

The housing 21 through its outer wall and the inner ring 22 provides a chamber 26 within said housing to receive water expelled from the member 4 due to centrifugal action when the member 4 is in rotation, and said chamber terminates in a conduit 27 formed in a radial extension 28 of said housing, through which III the water is conducted and the same discharged through a downwardly directed outlet 29 and from thence into the tub 3 or other receptacle depending on the position of the housing and its radial extension 28. This extension is partitioned, as at 30; so as to rovide a shelf or drain portion over w 1ch clothes and other materials are passed to and from the member 4 and to catch drippings from anysuch materials. The bottom of the conduit 27 with its discharge opening 29 is normally elevated or raised a. suflicient distance above the tub 3 and its upper frame 10 so that an attendants hands may not be 'hurt when grasping the extension 28 to swing the housing over the tub 3, or other receptacle. The upper wall of the housing 21 is provided \with an enlarged opening 31, having a diameter larger than the diameter of the upper turned edge 16 of the member 4, whereby said structure no cover or lid is required for the housing.

I provide a cover or lid 32'to close the upper end of the member 4. Such cover or lid, as shown in Fig. 2 is preferably dome shaped, its outer portion being preferably provided with an under curved surface 33, see Fig. 7, conforming in contour to the curved edge 16 of the member 4 and adapted to be seated thereon, as in Figs. 2 and 7, with lips 34 depending within and engaging the inner wall of the member 4. The lower surface of the engaging portion of said lid or cover 32 is provided with a circumferential row of ports or openings 35, see particularlyFig. 7, and it is through such ports or openings that water is expelled from the member 4 into the housing 21 over the upper curved portion 16 of said member 4, to be discharged from the conduit 27 throughthe discharge 29. Said cover or lid 32 is preferably rotatably supported from and by a cross-head or :bar36, which in closed position extends cross-wise of the housing 21 and the opening 31 in its top wall, and said cross-head or bar is hinged at 37 to said housing, its other or free end having a sloping or tapered face 38 adapted when in locked position to be seated and lie between and engage walls or flanges 36 on the housing 21, see Fig. 1. A cam lever 39 being provided to engage such tapered face for securely locking sa1d cross-head or bar inclosed position and against the torque resulting from the operation of said member 4. Said lever being pivoted at 40 to a boss on the housing, see Fig. 1. Between the cross-head or bar 36 and the cover or lid.32 I provide, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8 a suitable self align ing anti-friction bearing. Such bearing not only permits the cover or lid 32 to revolve on its support with the member 4 with which it has an operative engagement, but also ermits of a limited flexing movement to a ign the member 4 at its upper end concentric to its floating connection with the driving element at its lower end. A preferred construction for the self aligning anti-friction bearing includes a stem 41 connected throu h the lid or cover 32 having a headed portion 42 seated within an annular depressed or recessed portion 43 of said lid on cover and the journal for the lid or cover 32 on said stem comprises the inner and outer races 44 and 45 encircling the stem between the head thereof and acover plate 46 threaded into the wall forming the depressed or recessed po'r- I tion of said lidor cover. Theperiphery of the race 45 has lparallel peripheral grooves to seat sets of bal s 47 and the inner peripheral face of the race 44 is preferably concave and struck on an arc, the axis of which is the axis of the stem 41. It will be obvious therefore, that the lid or cover and its bearingmeans, including the stem 41 may align itself automatically, being permitted to do so by reason of the peculiar construction of the races 44 and 45 and the manner of seating the balls, all of which it is believed will be understood by those skilled in the art;

While I have not shown a casing or what might-be termed a fender for. thecentrifugal extracting member 4, to be carried 'by the frame of the machine, it is understood that such could be provided without departing from or adding anything'to the spirit or scope of the invention.

What I claim is 1. In combination, a centrifugal extractor, a driving element com rising a short upstanding grooved operating shaft, and a substantially shallow connecting member disposed exteriorly on the lower end of sa1d extractor and havin an axially disposed splined opening for s idably and detachably connecting said member and element in operative relation.

2. In combination, a centrifugal extractor,

a driving element, a free slip on and off connection between the lower end of said extractor and element, and a self aligning ant -friction bearing for the upper end of said extractor.

tor and element, a combined cover and centering member arranged for engagement with the upper end of said extractor, a support for said cover movable to operative and inoperative ositions and with it said cover, and

' aself-a igning anti-friction bearing for said cover.

. 5. In combination, .a centrifugal extractor, a-driving element, a free slip" on and ofl' con-' nection between the lower end of said extractor and element, a combined cover and centering member arranged for engagement with the upper end of said extractor and in association therewith providin a circumferential row of ports through w ich water is expelled from said extractor, a supportfor said I cover movable to o erativeand ino erative positions and with it sa1d cover, an a selfalig'mng antl-frlctlon bearin for sa1d cover.

6. In combination, a centrifugal extractor,

a driving element, a free sli on and off connectlonbetweentheloweren of saidextractor and element, a combined cover and centering closed pos1t1on member arranged for engagement with the upper end of said extractor, a hinged support for said cover adapted to be swung for placing said cover in closed and open positions, and a self; aligning anti-friction bearing for said cover.

7. In combination, a centrifugal extractor, a driving element, a free slip on and off connection between the lower end of said extrac tor and element, a combined cover and centering member arranged for engagement with the upper end of said extractor and in association therewith providing a circumferential .row of ports through which water is expelled from said extractor, a hinged support for said cover adapted to be swung for placing said cover in closed and open positions, and a self aligning anti-friction hearing for said cover.

8. In combination, a centrifugal extractor having its upper edge turned outwardly and downwardly to provide an upper engaging surface, a cover for said extractor having an annular engaging surface adapted when in to engage the engaging surface of said extractor, a movable support for said cover, and a self aligning anti-friction bearing for said cover.

9. In combination, a centrifugal extractor having its upper edge turned outwardly and downwardly to rovide an upper engaging surface, a cover or said extractor having an annular engaging surface adapted when in closed position to engage the engaging surface of said extractor and in association therewith providing a circumferential row of 7 ports through which water is expelled from said extractor, a movable support for said cover, and a self aligning anti-friction hearing for said cover.

10. In combination, a centrifugal extractor, a driving connection for the lower end of said extractor, a housing revolvably supported at the upper end of said extractor and adapted to be manually and circumferentialadjusted about the same and provided with a discharge conduit and an overlying shelf, a combined cover and centering member adapted to be brought into engagement with the upper end of said extractor, a movable support for said cover arran ed to be carried by said housing, and a self aligning anti-friction bearing for said cover. 5

11. In combination, a centrifugal extractor, a driving connection for the lower end of said extractor, a housing revolvably supported at the upper end of said extractor and adapted to be manually and circumferentially adjusted about the same and provided with a discharge conduit and an overlying shelf, a combined cover and centering member adapt ed to be brought into engagement with the upper end of said extractor and in association therewith providing a circumferential row of ports through which water is expelled ly adjusted about the same and provided with a discharge conduit and 'an overlying shelf, a combined cover and .centering member adapted to be brought into engagement with the upper end of said ,extractor, a member hinged to said housing and adapted when in closed position to lie diametrically across the top of said housing and extractor, a self aligning anti-friction bearing for said cover in operative connection, with said hinged member, and means to lock said member against the torque due to the rotation of.

said extractor. v

13. In combination, a centrifugal extractor, a driving connection for the lower end of said extractor, ahousing revolvably supported at theupper end of said extractor and adapted to be manually and circumferentially adjusted about the same and provided with a discharge conduit and an overlying shelf, a combined cover and centering member adapted to be brought into engagement with the upper end of said extractor and in association therewith providing a circumferential row of ports through which water is expelled from said extractor into said housing,

a member hinged to said housing and adapted when in closed position to lie diametrically across the top of said housing and extractor, a self aligning anti-friction bearing for said cover in operative connection with said hinged member, and means to lock said member against the torque due to the rotation of said extractor.

14. In combination with a centrifugal extracting member, of a housing supported to be manually and circumferentially adjusted about the upper end of said member and having a circular opening in its upper wallfor the placement and removal of said member therethrough, a cross-head hinged to said housing and adapted when in closed position to lie diametrically across the opening in said housing, means to lock said cross-head in closed position, a combined cover and centering member revolubly supported by said cross-head and adapted to engage the upper end of said extractor to close the same and having ports through which water is expelled from said extractor into said housing, and a self aligning anti-friction bearing for said cover in operative connection with said cover.-

15. In combination with a centrifugal extracting member, of a housing supported to be manually and circumferentially adjusted about the upper end of said member and having a circular opening in its upper wall for the placement and removal of said member 'therethrough, a cross-head hinged to said housing and adapted when in closed position to lie diametrically across the opening in said housing, the free end of said crosshead having a tapered locking surface, a pivoted locking member adapted to have a locking relation with the locking surface of'said cross-head, and a cover for said extractor revolubly carried by said cross-head.

'16. In combination with a centrifugal extracting member, of a housing supported to be manually and circumferentially adjusted about the upper end of said member and having a circular opening in its upper wall for the placement and removal of said member therethrough and also provided with a radial shelf portion and an' underlying discharge conduit in communication with said housing, a cross-head hinged to said housing and adapted when in closed position to lie diametrically across ,the opening in said housing, the free end of said cross-head having a tapered locln'ng surface, a. walled seat for the free end of said cross-head WhGIliIl closed position, a cam lever for engaging the locking surface of said cross-head and to cause the end of said cross-head to bear against a wall of its seat, and a cover for said extractor revolubly carried by said cross-head and in association with the extractor providing openings for the expulsion of water therethrough from said extractor into said housing.

17 A revolvable housing for a centrifugal" extractor, said housing having an opening in its upper wall, a supportlng cross-head hinged to said. housing and adapted to lie diametrically across the o ening therein, a cover plate revolubly earned by said crosshead and adapted to be normally supported within said housing, and a self aligning anticonnecting said cover plate friction bearin and said crossead.

18'. A revolvable housing for a centrifugal extractor, said housing having an opening in its upper wall, and provided with a radial shelf extension and an underlying discharge,

a supporting cross-head hinged to said hous-. King and adapted to lie diametrically acrossu the opening therein, a cover late revolubly carried by said cross-head and adapted to be normall supported within said housing in association with the extractor and providing a circumferential-row of water conducting openings, and a self aligning anti-friction bearing connecting said cover plate and said cross-head. v

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand this 12th day of March, 1927.

ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER. 

